Recipient Organization
GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES, INC
512 LIBERTY LN
WEST KINGSTON,RI 02892-1502
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
FROM GENOME TO PHENOTYPE. The field of quantitative genetics and genomics aims to better understand and utilize the genetic basis of complex traits. Common human, animal, and plant diseases, and most traits of interest in plant and animal breeding and in natural populations, are complex traits, in that differences between individuals are caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Traditionally built upon statistical analysis of observed phenotypes, the field of quantitative genetics is now rapidly advancing by making use of recent exciting developments in genetic and genomic technologies to reveal explicit links between genes and phenotypes, and therefore serves as a focal point for bringing together many emerging areas of genetics, genomics, physiology, statistics and computational biology. This synthesis is already having a large impact on the areas of evolutionary biology, plant and animal breeding, and analysis of human disease. To promote the further development and integration of this field across disciplines and species, the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Quantitative Genetics & Genomics will be held February 20-25, 2011, in Galveston, TX. GRC conferences are organized based on strict directives set out by the GRC non-profit organization (www.grc.org), including choice of the venue and structure of the conference program. Held every 2 years since 1989, the 2011 conference will focus on many cutting-edge developments in genetics and genomics to identify, understand, and use the genetic basis of complex traits. This will contribute to improved prevention, diagnosis and management of disease and enable further enhancement of agriculturally important populations to address the US and global needs for an abundant and secure supply of food. The specific goal of the 2011 conference is to bring together leaders in the fields of agricultural genetics, human disease genetics, and evolutionary genetics to explore areas of shared interest and cutting edge developments, with the potential to affect all researchers within the broad field of quantitative genetics. A specif focus will be on the utilization of new genomics technologies. According to GRC directives that are designed to promote open discussion of cutting-edge research, attendance is limited to 180, speakers and discussion leaders are required to present unpublished results, and an informal and friendly atmosphere for discussion and interaction will be created. Participation of young researchers (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty) is encouraged by providing Travel Awards and by opportunities to engage in discussions with leaders in the field through poster presentations and by informal discussions and interactions. Funds from this award will be used to support attendance of speakers and young scientists through Travel Awards.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
30%
Developmental
30%
Goals / Objectives
Quantitative genetics (or complex trait genetics) aims to link phenotypic variation to its underlying genetic basis in order to better understand and predict genetic architecture and long term change within agricultural, natural, and human populations. The field of quantitative genetics is relevant to phenotypes that are controlled by multiple to many genetic factors, along with environmental factors. Such phenotypes are abundant in the fields of animal and plant genetics, evolutionary genetics, and human genetics. Traditionally built upon statistical abstractions of genetic effects, the field of quantitative genetics is now rapidly advancing by making use of recent exciting developments in genetic and genomic technologies to reveal explicit links between genes and complex phenotypes, and therefore serves as a focal point for bringing together many emerging areas of genetics, genomics, physiology, statistics and computational biology. This synthesis is already having a large impact on the areas of plant and animal breeding, evolutionary biology, and the analysis of human disease. The specific aims of the 2011 Gordon Research Conference in Quantitative Genetics & Genomics are: i) To bring together of leaders in the fields of agricultural genetics, human disease genetics, and evolutionary genetics to explore areas of shared interest and cutting edge developments with the potential to affect all researchers within the broad field of quantitative genetics. ii) To focus on the utilization of new technologies such as next generation sequencing to better understand the nature of genetic variation in populations. iii) To discuss unpublished results from Speakers and Discussion Leaders. iv) To create an informal and friendly atmosphere that encourages graduate students and postdocs to engage in discussions with leaders in the field. v) To give participants the opportunity to present their own work through poster sessions. Expected outcomes include a better interaction among scientists in the broad field of quantitative genetics and genomics to facilitate advances in science, development, and application, and establishment of contacts between young scientists and leaders in the field.
Project Methods
The 2011 GRC on Quantitative Genetics and Genomics will be held February 20-25, 2011 at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, TX and will be held in accordance with the strict guidelines set for GRC conferences. GRC emphasizes the presentation and discussion of cutting-edge of research in an informal and highly interactive setting. As a result, size is limited to 180 participants. The Chair and Vice-Chair of the 2011 GRC meeting were elected by participants of the 2007 (Visscher) and 2009 (Dekkers) GRC meetings, and are responsible for the scientific program. Staff from the GRC organization are responsible for organizing registrations and logistics. Speakers and discussion leaders were selected to explore future areas of research that will be of broad significance to the field of Quantitative Genetics and Genomics. As per GRC directives, speakers are directed to focus on new unpublished research results. The GRC is the premier forum for junior investigators to introduce themselves and their work to the leaders in the field from across the globe. Accordingly, several of the invited US speakers and discussion leaders are junior faculty, priority will given to junior faculty when determining participants, and opportunities to present posters will be provided. In addition, four posters will be selected for the authors to make 10 minute presentations. Finally, to encourage and support attendance by graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, several Travel Awards will be made available. Outcomes of the conference, in terms of its impact on participants, will be assessed through the established evaluation procedures of the GRC conferences.